Turning The Big 2-0

Yes, I am turning 20 on the 16th of January 2016. And I guess 20 isn't exactly an age that requires much celebration because honestly, turning 20 is pretty scary and not a nice feeling at all. When you get to this age, you start to feel the urgency to grow up quick. People you know who are generally a few years older are starting to get married and they're talking about buying houses, or planning to get a job some where, so on and so forth. It's not all fun and games anymore because SHIT GETS REAL. 

It's an age you'd realize that you're no longer a kid and it's proven when you'd rather just have a quiet 20th birthday celebration like what I had. Gone are the days where I'd be getting cake smashed into my face etc. Although, most of the time, it is me who's starting it hehehe. Well, thank God for that. 

It's the 16th of January 2016 and I JUST turned 20. Officially not a teenager anymore :( Of course nothing significant has changed yet but the thought of growing up so quickly hit me really hard yesterday night. I was sitting on my bed just having random thoughts and suddenly, I had random flashbacks of the entire past 20 years of my life. And I started to break down and cry alone. It was so strange. 

Turning 20 has made me realized that I should really appreciate what I have now and I should try to do whatever I've always wanted to do before it's too late. I still vaguely remember the days when I was still in secondary school and how I was so desperate to grow up then. I wanted to go clubbing, I wanted my freedom and now, I just wanna be young all over again. I'm not saying that I'm not young and I know some of you may be irritated by the fact that I keep complaining about growing old, but to me, turning 20 means a lot. It's about me starting a whole new chapter of my life, growing up into a young adult and taking on even heavier responsibilities.

I told myself that I'm not going to live the way I've lived over the past few years. I've worked too much and too hard that I've forgotten how to be happy. I am happy but not truly happy. I do get all these amazing opportunities for my passion and career but this year, I want it to be a little more meaningful. A little more personal. 

The clock is ticking and we never know what tomorrow may bring. So this year, instead of concentrating too much on how to be successful, I'm gonna take a step back and enjoy life with my loved ones. I want to mend broken friendships and create stronger bonds with people that matter. Life is really TOO SHORT for hatred, grudges and regrets. Turning 20 woke me up. I was reminded yesterday night while I was alone on my bed, that there's really no point in being so successful but missing out on the REAL things that truly matter to me. 

I plan to spend my 2016, my first year being a young adult, really well. I want to hang out with my family more cause I've realized that as I grow up, my parents are growing old. I want to bond and cherish lovely moments with my sisters more. I want to make more time for my relationship with The NiggAPAHE to grow. Hopefully we can plan to go away quite a few times this year so that we'll have more amazing memories together. I want to get to know my friends even better this year. I hardly have time for them no matter how much they've supported me and stuck with me even though I only see them like once or twice a week. I want to pick up new skills and accomplish old dreams that I have by this year too. And I want issues of my past to settle down once and for all. I do not wish to move on into this new chapter of my life living in denial and regret. 

It's a fresh start and I want to be able to look back at 2016 with a huge smile on my face knowing that it was a REALLY good year. It's not gonna be about me this year. It's gonna be about the people that matters.

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that I'll be taking some sorta gap year and really chill and travel for the whole year, although I would love that. I am still going to be focused on my work and wanting to do my best and succeed. At the same time, I will spend some time building on my ideas and letting my creativity juices flow for wedding ideas on my wedding scrapbook.

Every girl, in fact everyone should be entitled to have their own time to just kick off their shoes, listen to their favorite music and just relax. Indulge in the me-time, the relaxation time once in a while.  While you work hard, you relax, time to time too.

More importantly, I will be hardworking, determined and passionate. But, I will not be a workaholic so much till I forget to take a breather and enjoy life a little more. I am a person who LOVES planning. A good and a bad thing. The problem with me, I can be deemed a little uptight by a few people. And, when I let loose and unwind, I go all out. There is nothing wrong with that but there is a saying that "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." So I am just gonna loosen up and relax a little more and just bask in the greatness of life and embrace and be thankful for all the good things I am blessed with instead of depressing myself over what's not good. :')

For example, birthdays. We just entered 2016. Would you believe that I have planned and sorted out all the birthday presents I would gift to people for their birthdays? From January all the way to December. Over 95% has been bought last year itself. Which is why this time around, in 2016, I will not fret over birthdays in 2017 anymore. I will just wait till it's the month of their birthdays and then get the item. I am really taking it easy. As for the cards, I've told the guys, 2015 would be the last that I would be making cards for the group and that the person who will probably be getting the last card is Aby for her 16th birthday.

You gotta start somewhere don't you?

"Whatever will be will be 
I've learned to take 
The good, the bad and breathe 
'Cause although we like 
To know what life's got planned 
No one knows if shooting stars will land"

Why this quote? Well, I posted this quote when I instagrammed my birthday this year and I would say, it's very appropriate to my approach in life, or at least the kind of approach I am planning to go for. 


So for now, le pictures!

On the 15th, The NiggAPACHE had our normal TGIF and what made it really special? 9 of us. Yup! 9 of us on a TGIF at the roof is so rare and what made it spectacular was the fact that we saw a beautiful shooting star that night. 

That was my first ever shooting star and having the full crew there was just perfect! That was when I decided you know what?! Birthdays in the group are not really gonna be celebrated this year, but I just thought of something that would make things magical.., Suraj, you'll be the first to know real real soon!!!

Here's to some cool silhouette shots taken then (& other random funny shots):

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I had an AMAZEBALLS time at USS on the 16th and will be heading back there on the 29th. 

It was truly a memorable and heartfelt day and might I add, I finally rode the Battlestar Galectica Human Vs Cyclon roller coasters! Yup! The red & blue ones. USS has new rides like the Puss in Boots one and also an entire segment called New York, which I never knew was there!

The retro vibes, vintage feels were all so.. me! Hahaha! There was these diner where it reminds you of the classic movie "Grease" where biker hunks and chicks existed. The real OG ones!

Let me break it down in the various segments:


Madagascar

King Julien's Beach Party-Go-Round

The crazy carousel. Not my kind of ideal pretty carousel where there'll be pretty horses. Over here you are riding on animals and even grandmas! HAHAHA

Madagascar: A Crate Adventure

The Lost World

Canopy Flyer

It was my first time trying this. C'mon! I barely had to queue up for 10 minutes. It was really fast and might I add, a super quick ride.

Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure

I enjoy a thrilling river raft ride through primeval dinosaur habitats where I usually will get wet but this time greatly escape!

Sci-Fi City

Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON

As I mentioned, I finally rode on these 2 sweet babies! I personally prefer the blue one. I have 

a 

liking for roller coasters that you actually hang on instead of sitting in a cart. Also, all those 

360

turns, SUPER FUN!!!!!

Accelerator

I've rode on this before too, it was pretty okay. For someone who gets dizzy quickly, this ride didn't make me feel too dizzy at all. 

TRANSFORMERS The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle

I LOVE THIS RIDE! That time, during Suraj's birthday, this ride felt different. With the guys, it was like I'm going on a mission and they acted like they held guns and so on. This time round, it was less mission-like but fun still. It's a different kinda fun but great fun! ;)

There was Churros outside but I didn't buy them. I prefer alternative places that sells it at a cheaper price and tastes heavenly such as Churros Factory.

Ancient Egypt

Revenge of the Mummy

THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE RIDES AS HELLO!!!!! IT DEPICTS EGYPT! YOU ARE TALKIN TO THE EGYPTIAN PRINCESS RIGHT HERE! I LOVE THE SETTING, THE BUILDING, THE DETAIL, THE VIBE, THE RIDE! 

Mango Slushy! It was time to get this plus it's MANGO!

New York

Lights, Camera, Action! Hosted by Steven Spielberg

This is a new segment that I really enjoyed. I am sure the guys would have loved this too had there been this when we went to USS a year back. 

It is pretty fascinating to learn and experience the things we all love watching (movies) come to live when we see them in the making! Plus, it is Steven Spielberg's work!!!

*Cues Jaws music*

The Rockafellas

Welcome to the streets of the Big Apple as NYC brings you an up close and personal taste of B-Boyin. This group, the dancers looked a lil old (like Dads) but they sure can dance!!!!

There was A WHOLE LOTTA Street Shots taken. As I mentioned earlier, being anywhere with the NiggAPACHE just screams fun! But when you do something similar, it is still fun, just a different kinda fun. But still a huge ball of fun and I mean it in the BEST WAY POSSIBLE! 

After all, this is USS. The Singapore's version of Disneyland. And to me, Disneyland is a place I would wanna go the moment I snag a chance. I would love to take my loved ones as I do not believe in enjoying something fully when it's just you. 

Being a badass or tryna be one by climbing stairs for a good shot!

Hollywood

It's all glitz and glam as we welcome this beautiful place!

Mel's Dinettes

Mel's Drive-in waitresses shake, rattle & roll a Broadway style of Dear Future Husband and it was entertaining! And remember how I was going on and on about the diner! Well, this is it! I LOVE places like this, the whole vibe..EVERYTHING!!!!!! Take me back to the 1950s! 

I love the olden days, I love the modern times, I love technology but I also love things like a typewriter and walkman you see... I am one weird girl! Haha what can I say, to sum up what I really am:

I'm Vintage With A Modern Twist

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I TOUCHED A JUKEBOX! Too bad, it couldn't play anything! :(

Walk of Fame - Hollywood Boulevard

I was walking around and I saw names like Sylvester Stallone, Woody Woodpecker & so on but I wanted to feel special and decided to only take a picture with one celebrity. I was walking all around to find for a celebrity and I finally found THE ONE I was so honored and elated to have found!

AUDREY HEPBURN!!!!!!

Minions

But have you seen one in a Cheongsam? Well, it's the Chinese New Year period. CNY is apprcoaching and USS started playing CNY songs and having red lanterns all hung on a whole strectch to celebrate this festivity. 

For a moment, it does look a little like Chinatown, as in the decor, but at least they didn't overdid it to a point they eliminated the essence of USS. So kudos to them!

Far Far Away

Last but not least, this amazing place. I do not only love it because I love Shrek, but because I do feel like a real princess after seeing the castle and taking pictures of it and with it acting like I live there! How I wish! If only... haha

Shrek 4-D Adventure

I never went for this as I have seen it quite a number of times that it would have taken away the fun element had I went to watch it again! But if it's your first visit, I strongly urge you to go for this!!!

Enchanted Airways 

It is one of the smaller roller coasters but still a MUST TRY! Moreover, you're riding on a dragon!

Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey

This is a new attraction and I had to give it a go. It's pretty mellow but kinda cool to be honest!

MY FAV PIC! It's my castle! Yours truly, Princess Hana lives here... in her dreams
A girl can dream right? Well, I'm still a princess (still hopeful) just that this is my temporary castle. 

Carriages are cool! I am not a fan of this onion one and would prefer a cooler, sweeter one like a MACAROON! hehehe

WELCOME TO MY PALACE!

Finally, various shots after exploring all the segments and having a blast on the rides. All these are taken just outside of USS!

Saw Krispy Kreme and knew that it MUST  be visited!!!!




It's my first time trying this. It's a HUMONGOUS scoop of Haagen Daaz's Macadamia Nut ice cream,  with a piece of the Original Glazed donut, drizzled with chocolate sauce, served by the generous server. 

Thank you for this meal! One of the most amazing desserts I have ever had and to have it on the 16th, made this my first "Birthday Cake" for the year and it's AMAZING!





FUZZY BALLET BEDROOM SLIPPERS TO END OF THE NIGHT!

Thank you for this really amazing experience. It is my 3rd time at USS and I was so blessed to have felt this happy and I do mean it, genuinely happy in a long time!

T'was a really great day. I'll be back for you, USS, in a week's time.


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On the 17th, I went over to Sharlini's to celebrate Aby's birthday. But they surprised me with a slice of fudge cake and a candle. Thank you once again. Plus White Chicks is a movie that never gets old! I practically know all the lines in the movie! 

Yup, that's Aby's sash! It's her birthday after all and she had to wear it! Haha







After this, I went to meet my family and we went to Royz et Vous which is a french inspired Cafe. It was just a lovely day. And more "cake" and candles. Hey! I am glad I got to make a wish thrice this month. One on a shooting star, one on a small candle on a fudge cake, and one on a small candle on a chocolate molten lava cake!

That Creme Brulee by the side was also a DELICIOUS dessert we all shared!!!!!

These 2 keep gettin cuter!




Mandatory Family Wefie

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The gifts, just thank you!
To every single one out there who wished me, celebrated in some form of way, given me gifts or the best gift yet (being in my life and making me fee really happy and blessed), I cannot express my gratitude and I must say that I have the most amazing Ohanas. See the "s"? There's a reason why it's there. :')







P.S. Allow me to take this opportunity to say that I have a weird fascination for pretty storage space, be it pouches or  boxes like these. hahaha


I now have better finance for the future, lovely cards, will be having a hella great time in H&M, be all sweet smelling like a vanilla scented Victoria's Secret Angel and can pen down my travel journey and not forgetting the DonAPACHE gift, I can totally indulge in Belgian chocolates whenever I want.

I REALLY LOVE EACH & EVERYONE OF Y' ALL!

There are just so many things I still need to fulfill, so many things I need to do for the people I love, so many things I need to improve and so many things I need to ponder in life.

And putting those aside, I don't want to forget to stop and look at all the great things in life, appreciate, and be thankful for all the good things that has been happening among the bad. I wanna look at all the silver linings instead of just the clouds (even though they can be super fluffy).

With all that being said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL MY FELLOW CAPRICORNS OUT THERE!!!


xoxo

The now 20-year-old,
Farhana Mazlan